Moderating a panel on smart eco-city at the Smart to Future Cities Conference

How to build sustainable ecocities that benefit from smart technologies?

Dr. Roudaina Al Khani moderated last week a new thinking panel at the Smart to Future Cities Conference, which took place on the 10th -11th April in London leading an interesting debate with the panellists Stephen Lorimer of Greater London Authority, Astrid Vanackere, City of Ostend, and Harri Paananen, City of Espoo. The three cities are known to be leaders in sustainability.

Dr. Roudaina explored with the panallists their views on the multiple opportunities offered by implementing smart technologies within holistic perspectives and how this is being integrated in city design. Benefits in terms of more resource efficiency and less cost for both the public sector and the users were explored in connection with the energy sector justifying the need of more focus on smart services and eco-design. The panel also discussed how smart technologies would help our cities become more liveable and forge new practices and collaborations.